Story Time: "The Dream of Akinosuke" by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 64)
"The Dream of Akinosuke" is Lafcadio Hearn's translation of a sweet Japanese (originally Chinese) folktale. In it you'll learn how insects can manipulate a person's soul. Visit the Uncanny Japan webs...
16 Nov 202024min
Shinrei Supotto: Freaky Haunted Areas in Japan (Ep. 63)
Let's visit some local haunted areas or shinrei supotto in Japanese. The Suicide Forest, a very haunted tunnel, and a Severed Head Grave are all in today's show. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to re...
31 Okt 202025min
Yuurei: Japanese Ghosts from Protective to Wrathful (Ep. 62)
Yuurei are Japanese ghosts and they come in quite a few varieties, from the protecting shugorei to the vengeful and very dangerous onryou. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and t...
15 Okt 202026min
Oiran: The Glamorous and Wretched Life of a High Courtesan (Ep. 61)
An oiran is not a geisha. Although at first glance they may look alike, one is a more reserved entertainer who is still in existence today. The other is a high courtesan, long disappeared, who wore fl...
30 Sep 202019min
Kanreki: Your Auspicious Years, Yakudoushi: Your Calamitous Ones (Ep. 60)
Kanreki is the celebration of a 60th birthday. They'll don a red vest, called a chanchanko, a red billowy hat, called an e-boshi and be given a white fan to hold. Yakudoshi are the ages you're believe...
15 Sep 202019min
Koumare Ishi: Inexplicable Rocks That Predict the Deaths of Monks (Ep. 59)
Koumare Ishi is one of the nanafushigi or seven mysterious occurrences from my area. The belief is that a rock is born from the side of the mountain, and when it falls the head abbot of the nearby tem...
1 Sep 202017min
Bon Odori: Dancing with the Dead (Ep. 58)
Bon Odori or Bon Dancing is a summer tradition held all over Japan. It's a chance for families to get together and have an enjoyable time dancing to the rhythmical music. Seeing as how the Obon season...
17 Aug 202023min
Story Time - The Jellyfish Takes a Journey (plus eel and seppuku!) (Ep. 57)
Ever wonder why a jellyfish looks the way they do? Well, the Japanese folktale "The Jellyfish Takes a Journey" (Kurage no Honenashi) tells you how that came about. Then after that folktale, I'll give ...
29 Jul 202020min
